Motor vehicle cooling module

ABSTRACT

A cooling module assembly for a motor vehicle oriented such that the fluid to be cooled flows parallel with the direction of the airstream generated by vehicle movement. The module will be configured to allow the cooling of a single, or plurality of fluids such as engine coolant, transmission fluid, air conditioning refrigerant, power steering fluid, and engine oil.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application #60/285,145 filed Apr. 20, 2001.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field of Invention

[0003] This invention relates to heat exchangers, specifically in the motor vehicle industry.

[0004] 2. Discussion of Prior Art

[0005] Modern motor vehicles are typically cooled by tube and fin compact heat exchangers. These heat exchangers are currently stacked, one in front of the other, to form a cooling module located in the front of the vehicle. The tubes or passageways containing the fluid to be cooled run perpendicular to the flow of air produced by the forward motion of the vehicle. When vehicle requirements dictate that more cooling is needed, the traditional heat exchanger must either grow in frontal area, which is limited to begin with, or become thicker, which restricts airflow to other heat exchangers as well as to the engine compartment.

[0006] The motor vehicle design community has been promoting sleeker, more aerodynamic motor vehicles, which is restricting the frontal area available for the cooling module. At the same time, motor vehicle customers are demanding higher performance, which is increasing the demand on the cooling system. The current technology heat exchangers are caught between the reduction in available frontal area and increasing cooling requirements.

[0007] In an effort to address this issue, the development of heat exchangers in the motor vehicle industry has been focused on enhancements of traditional, tube and fin compact heat exchangers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides a cooling system that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. The system consists of the heat exchangers mounted such that the flow of the fluids to be cooled is parallel with the direction of the airflow created by the forward movement of the vehicle.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0009] Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0010] An orientation that minimizes frontal area requirements.

[0011] A design that allows mounting in areas other than in the front of the vehicle.

[0012] A design that allows the heat exchanger to grow in a direction that is not restricted when more performance is required. Current technology requires increasing the frontal area when the heat exchanger needs to be larger.

[0013] A design that does not restrict the airflow to other heat exchangers when more performance is required.

[0014] A simplified manufacturing process compared to current technology.

[0015] A more cost effective solution for cooling a motor vehicle.

[0016] Allows the ability to design a more aerodynamic and fuel-efficient vehicle.

[0017] Allows the freeing up of valuable space in front of the engine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018]FIG. 1 is a sketch of a heat exchanger that could be used in the module.

[0019]FIG. 2 is a sketch of the module installed in the underside of a motor vehicle.

DRAWING REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0020] 1 Heat exchanger body

[0021] 2 Manifolds

[0022] 3 Fittings for other fluids to be cooled

[0023] 4 Fittings for engine coolant

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] The module consists of at least one ordinary heat exchanger, which is comprised of a body (1) that contains multiple fluid passages. Attached to both ends of the body (1) are manifolds (2) that direct engine coolant through fittings (4) and various other fluids through fittings (3) to the heat exchanger body (1).

[0025] The heat exchangers will likely be installed in pairs on the underside of the motor vehicle as shown in sketch FIG. 2. They will be positioned such that they are parallel with the direction of the airstream. Tubing will route the fluids to the front side of the module and in the case of a pair of exchangers, tubing will connect the back ends of the heat exchangers to allow the return of fluid to the front of the vehicle.

OPERATION OF INVENTION

[0026] The manifolds on each end of the heat exchanger serve to direct the fluids to be cooled from the transfer tubing to the appropriate passages inside the heat exchanger. Heat from the fluids to be cooled will be transferred to the air stream surrounding the heat exchangers.

DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION OF ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0027] It is possible that the module will require a fan to assist in air movement when the vehicle is stationary. A shroud could be mounted such that a cooling fan would direct air over the exterior of the heat exchanger to enhance heat transfer while the vehicle is stationary.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION

[0028] This invention addresses both space and performance issues by taking advantage of the natural direction of the airflow created by a moving vehicle. Fluids requiring cooling such as engine coolant, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, and air conditioning refrigerant would be routed through the cooling module that would most likely be located under the vehicle, where space and airflow are not currently restricted by vehicle design evolution. The module would not employ a traditional tube and fin compact heat exchanger, which orients fluid flow perpendicular to the airflow and requires a large frontal area. This design would employ a heat exchanger with fluid flow parallel with the airflow, which will require a greatly reduced frontal area. The heat exchanger itself will be of a simpler and more robust design and will be less expensive to produce than a traditional one. Eliminating the need for air to travel through multiple tube and fin heat exchangers would minimize airflow restriction, and could enhance fuel economy. 

I claim:
 1. A cooling system, with the fluid to be cooled flowing parallel to the direction of the airstream generated by vehicle movement.
 2. A cooling system according to claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger is used to cool a single or plurality of fluids.
 3. A cooling system according to claim 1 wherein air is used for cooling. 